AT 34 years of age, Sophie Monk has been through a lot in her 15 years in the public eye.

She was at the centre of the breakdown of Australia’s most successful girl group, Bardot; she’s endured high-profile breakups with the likes of Benji Madden and millionaire businessman Jimmy Esebeg, and she lasted almost a decade in LA, carving out a fledgling Hollywood acting career.

Now, she’s back on home turf, as one quarter of 2Day FM’s new breakfast radio team in Sydney. The always-candid blonde opened up in this exclusive interview with news.com.au.

Sophie, how are you finding breakfast radio?

Now the show feels easy, but the hours? They’re hard. I haven’t figured them out yet. I tried to wake up at 5am and rock up at 5.10 today, but my brain doesn’t work, so I have to get up around two hours before.

You’re notoriously honest — it seems a little dangerous to put you live on air first thing in the morning!

I’m very honest, but everything I say comes from the right place, and I’ve just got to own it. I only put myself down or be honest about myself, which doesn’t hurt anyone. If I do give an opinion about anyone else, it’d better be pretty strong so I can stand behind it.

You’re now in direct competition with Kyle & Jackie O, and they’ve already fired a few shots across the bow. Is it all in good fun?

It’s a friendly rivalry for me. It’s all in fun — it’s not personal by any means.

You’ve got a kindred spirit in fellow presenter Mel B, another girl group survivor. Have you two traded war stories?

We haven’t traded too many stories. When she comes out again we’re gonna sit down and have dinner. I think we’d like to not talk about the business so much and just enjoy each other’s company, because we all talk business all day.

Speaking of your girl band past … any chance of a Bardot reunion?

Never say never, but … I’d probably say never. That ship’s sailed.

Monk (at right) with former girl group Bardot. She says there’s no chance of a reunion. ASource:News Limited

So are you home from LA for good now?

I did and saw everything I wanted to. I was there nine years, which is a long time. I think it helped my comedy as well, going through some tough times as I did over there. I learned enough where I went, ‘OK, it’s time’. LA can be very tough. I went there with nothing but a suitcase — it wasn’t like I got chosen off Home & Away or Neighbours. I really had to carve it out for myself, which can definitely be a rough ride.

Monk says she’s back home in Australia for good.Source:News Limited

Now you’re back in Australia with your support network, any urge to start a family?

I’m waiting for that to kick in. I feel like I’m still enjoying my career, ticking off the things I want to do. If I do have a child, it’ll definitely not be in the limelight. I’d shut down and turn away from the industry, because I don’t think it’s fair on children — I’m very passionate about that.”

So was there anyone special on Valentine’s Day?

No! I’m so ripped off. I should’ve organised it so I at least had a boyfriend on Valentine’s Day. This is the longest I’ve been single. I had chocolates on Valentine’s Day ... that I bought myself.